Fruit gatherer



- B. uwsssis fan. 29

FRUIT GATHERER Filed April 11. 1923 Patented Jan. 29, 1924.

stares BENJAMIN BURGESS, OF DAINVILLE, ILLINOIS.-

IRUIT GATHEBER.

Application filed April 11, 1923. Serial No. 631,429.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, BENJAMIN BURGESS, a citizen of the United States,residing at Danvi'lle, in the county of Vermilion and State of Illinois,have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Fruit Gca-therersof which the following is a specification, reference being had to theaccompanying drawings.

This invention relates to certain improvements in fruit gatherers and itis an object of the invention to provide a novel and improved device ofthis general character wherein fruit- ,or the like irrespective of itssize may be collected.

It is also an object of the invention to provide a novel and improveddevice of this general character wherein the fruit may be picked byeither a push or a pull and gathered without injury.

The invention consists in the details of construction and in thecombination and arrangement of the several parts of my improved fruitgatherer whereby certain important advantages are attained and thedevice rendered simpler, less expensive and otherwise more convenientand advantageous for use, as will be hereinafter more fully set forth.

The novel features of my invention will hereinafter be definitelyclaimed.

In order that my invention may be the better understood, 1 will nowproceed to describe the same with reference to the accompanyingdrawings, wherein "Figure 1 is a view in elevation of -a fruit gathererconstructed in accordance with an embodiment of my invention, thechutebeing shown in fragment;

Figure 2 is a vertical sectional view taken through the device asillustrated in Figure 1, the chute being-omitted and a handle beingapplied;

Figure 3 is a sectional view taken substantially onthe :line 33 ofFigure 1 Figure 4: is a fragmentary sectional view taken atone side ofthe front opening of the hood.

As herein disclosed, my improved gatherer comprises a hood consisting ofa lower sleeve 1 of requisite diameter and which has its lower end ormarginal portion defined by an outstanding bead 2. Soldered or otherwisesecured to the upper portion of the sleeve 1 is a reticulated fabric orwire mesh 3 constituting the side wall of the hood. This fabric 3extends almost entirely around the sleeve 1 and is flared upwardly andoutwardly. The end marginal portion of the fabric or mesh '3 is engagedand clamped between the overlying laminations a of a binding strip 4.preferably of metal. Thelower end portion of each of the strips 1straddles a wall of the sleeve 1 fromabove as indicated at 5 in Figure2, said overlying portions being soldered or otherwise secured to thewall of the sleeve 1. tions of the strips 4 and the upper marginalportion of the mesh or fabric 3 are soldered or otherwise secured to adepending flange 6 associated with the top member 7. The top member 7 isdisposed on a predetermined downward incline toward the front openingafforded by the members 1. The lower portion of the member 7 is providedat its transverse center with a slot 8 substantially V- shaped in formand having the edges defining the slot rounded, said edges being definedby' an upstanding flange 9.

Bridgingthe spacebetween the lower portions of the members 4 andsoldered or otherwise secured thereto is a plate 10, the lower portionof said plate overlying and soldered or otherwise secured to theadjacent portion of the sleeve 1. The upper marginal portion of theplate 10 is also provided with Ea substantially V-shaped slot 11, theedges defining the same being also rounded. Secured to the sleeve 1 'isa barrel 12 into which is adapted to be fitted an end portion of anelongated rodor .pole 14: by which the device in its entirety is adaptedto be manipulated.

The sleeve 1 is adapted to deliver within a chute 0 preferablynettingthe major portion of the chute, as illustrated in Figure 1, beingnormally contracted or restricted but readily permitting fruit or thelike to pass therethrough. This is of particular advantage as the travelof the fruit or the like through the chute is retarded whereby issubstantially eliminated the liability of injurvas by bruising or thelike.

. The chute .C is connected by the loops 15 with a band 16. This band 16encircles the lower portion of the sleeve 1 directly above andsubstantially in contact with the bead 2. One end portion of the band 16is provided with a loop 17 through which the opposite end portion of theband 16 is threaded whereby said band may be properly fitted upon thesleeve 1. This band 16 is preferably of metal which may be bended toeffect the de The upper end porsired securement of the band upon thesleeve 1.

In practice, fruit or the like may be readily picked by engaging thestem of the fruit or the like within the slot 11 so that upon a slightupward movement being imparted to the sleeve 1 the fruit will be severedand fall through the sleeve 1 into the chute C. If preferred the stem ofthe fruit or the like may be engaged within the'slot 8 so that uponproper manipulation of the handle 14 the stem will be severed.

From the foregoing description it is thought to be obvious that a fruitgatherer constructed in accordance with my invention is particularlywell adapted for use by reason of the convenience and facility withwhich it may be assembled and operated, and it will also be obvious thatmy invention is susceptible of some change and modification withoutdeparting from the principles and spirit thereof and for this reason Ido not Wish to be understood as limiting myself to the precisearrangement and formation of the several parts herein shown in carryingout my invention in practice except as here inafter claimed.

I claim I 1. A fruit gatherer comprising a hood consisting of a bottomsleeve, a perforated wall extending a material distance around thesleeve, an end portion of? the wall being secured to the sleeve, stripsconnected to the end marginal portions of said wall, a top membersecured to the upper portions of the wall and the strips, said topmember at a point between the strips being provided with a slot, and aplate connected to and bridging the space between the lower portions ofthe strips, said plate being provided with a slot.

2. A fruit gatherer comprising a hood con sisting of a bottom sleeve, aperforated wall extending a material distance around the sleeve, an endportion of the wall being secured to the sleeve, strips connected to theend marginal portions of said wall, a top member secured to the upperportions of the wall and the strips, said top member at a point betweenthe strips being provided with a slot, and a plate connected to andbridging the space between the lower portions of the strips, said platebeing provided with a slot, each of said slots being substantiallyV-shaped.

3. A fruit gatherer comprising a hood consisting of a bottom sleeve, aperforated wall extending a material distance around the sleeve, an endportion of the wall being secured to the sleeve, strips connected to theend marginal portions of said wall, a top member secured tothe upperportions of the wall and the strips, said top member at a point betweenthe strips being provided with a slot, a plate connected to and bridgingthe space between the lower portions of the strips, said plate beingprovided with a slot, and an operating member engaged with the sleeve.

4:. A fruit gather-er comprising a hood consisting of a bottom sleeve aperforated wall extending a material distance around the sleeve, an endportion of the wall being secured to the sleeve, strips connected to theend marginal portions of said wall, a top member secured to the upperportions of the wall and the strips, said top member at a point betweenthe strips being provided with a slot, and a plate connected to andbridging the space between the lower portions of the strips, said platebeing provided with a slot, said side wall being outwardly flared withrespect to the sleeve.

5. A fruit gather-er comprising a hood consistin of abottom sleeve, aperforated wall extending a material distance around the sleeve, an endportion of the wall being secured to the sleeve, strips connected to theend marginal portions of Said wall, a top member secured to the upperportions of the wall and the strips, said top member at a point betweenthe strips being provided with a slot, a plate connected to and bridgingthe space between the lower portions of the strips, said plate beingprovided with a slot, and a chute engaged with the sleeve.

6. A fruit gatherer comprising a hood consisting of a bottom sleeve, aperforated wall extending a material distance around the sleeve, an endportion of the wall being see cured to the sleeve, strips connected tothe end marginal portions of said "wall, a top member secured to theupper portions of the wall and the strips, said top member at a pointbetween the strips being provided with a slot, and a plate connected toand bridging the space between the lower portions of the strips, saidplate being provided with a slot, said side wall constituting areticulated fabric. i

In testimonv whereof I hereunto afiix my signature.

BENJAMIN BURGESS.

